Twelve startup companies from Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica and Mexico have been chosen to participate in the 2016 edition of Demand Solutions, an innovation and entrepreneurship event sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), on October 4 in Washington, DC.
“These 12 ventures stood out among the more than 500 entries we received from 20 countries,” said Trinidad Zaldivar, chief of the Culture, Creativity and Solidarity Affairs Division. “They’re great examples of the raw talent and potential of our region in fields such as art, education, design, animation, and many others.”
Demand Solutions brings together some of the most creative minds in the world to share ideas on how to tackle and solve development challenges by leveraging the power of art, culture and technology. This year’s selected startups are:
Startup Representative Country Badabada - Popix produções Alex Angelini Brazil Frei.re - Escribo Inovação e Educação Americo Amorim Brazil Gamesquare Rafael Cordeiro Brazil Primeiro Livro - Centro de Autoria e Cultura Luis Henrique Martins Junqueira Brazil FazGame - TecZelt Carla Zeltzer Brazil Lorapp Camilo Lucero Colombia Nativo Digital - World Tech Makers Ilana Milkes Colombia Kits Artesanales - DIDART Crista Nuñez Guatemala BookFusion Dwayne Campbell Jamaica Con Equis Niños Jorge Castellanos Mexico Ecosistema contenidos digitales para lenguas originarias de América Carlos Mondragon Mexico Mi Cartelera MX Guillermo Fernandez Mexico
During the conference, a founder from each of these startups will pitch their product or solution to a panel of judges, investors and business accelerators. Prior to and after the event, they will also participate in four days of activities, which include workshops delivered by renowned mentors, media representatives and entrepreneurs.
The workshops will be run by You Noodle and Creative Startups, an accelerator established in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that focuses on startups in the creative and cultural industries.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Blum Center for Developing Economies at the University of California, Berkeley, joins the IDB as the main partner of Demand Solutions. Other partners include Microsoft, Tech Sampa, Nos8, LatamStartups, Banco Santander’s Red Emprendia, and the Global Good Fund.
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.
About the Blum Center for Developing Economies
The Blum Center for Developing Economies was established in 2006 as an interdisciplinary unit at the University of California, Berkeley, for students, researchers and academics interested in poverty and inequality in the world.
This year’s edition of Demand Solutions will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm EST. All those interested in attending the event in Washington, D.C. or in watching it via Livestream can register at www.iadb.org/DSHQRegister2016